Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-10-27

Editor Belmont Chronicle Dear Sir-In
your next issue will you please give the
names of the Prosecuting Attorney and the
Grand Jury, who found several true bills
against petty offenders that could and should
have been settled before Justice, and let
cold -blooded, deliberate murderer go scott
free. In the latter case subp9Iaing men for
Witnesses who were not near the affair, and
letting well known persons who Were eye
witnesses TO it slip. The people should know
who this jury were. JUSTICE.
Our corresp spondent's request is rea-
sonable Que. Here they are.
Prosecuting attorney Newell K. Kennon,
of 1T Ciairsville.
Grand Jury John W. Laughlin, (Fore<
NAM Of GAINESVILLE.
Samuel Myers, of Alledonia;
Lee Evans, OF Hunter;
William Gibbons, of SomertOn;
Samuel StilwelI, of Bridgeport;
Samuel fenton, of MOrristOwn;
John p. Lucas of Centreville;
Wm. King, of East Richland;
Robert COwen, of Barnesv:lle;
solomon Bentley, of Belmont;
VIM. Davis, of Belmont;
J. o. McKelveY, OF NalIonla;
Jacob Weiss, of Stewartsville:
james \ Stewart, Of st. Clairsville;
Samuel Jones, of Mt. Ohvet.
The action of the Prosecuting AttoT-
hey and grand jury has produced pros
found feeling in many parts of the
county. In Pease township, especially,
the scene of the Swearingen Bucking+
ham tragedy, the indignation is very
deep.
It will be remembered that during
one of the evenings of the WhealIng
fair, whIle an excursion train was side
tracked at Bridgeport, man named
SweariUgen became engaged in an al
tercation with neighbor, named Buck
ingham. Both lived near Steubenville,
and both were somewhat under the ID
flaence of liquor. Buckingham was a
quarrelsome man, but was unarmed, and
had never been known 20 carry arms
A struggle ensued, whereupOn Swear
ingenjdrew his pistol and shot his an
tagoDist twice, from the effects of which
be died soon after Swearingen was ar
rested, recognized in $4,000, was Rear
rested. and committed on a charge OF
murder in the first degree.
That such d dreadful tragedy should
be enacted, be smothered in secret in
grand jury room. and wholly escape
judicial investigation in open court, is
we'll calculated to shock all parsons who
are disposed to uphold the courts, and
10 stake their faith in the courts and
and the forms of law.
The killing took plac9 in the car. y
resident of Martins Ferry, who was out
OF the platform, and saw nothing OF the
quarrel nor the killing. was subp9naed
before the grand jnry. Another resi-
dent of Martins Ferry, who was within
three seats of the men, who witnessed
the controversy and the killing. and who
WIS witness in the heariug before the
examining Justice, was not subpGlaed
t. appear before the grand jury, and is
vet wondering why.
Before the case was reached by the
grand Jury it was given out that no bill
would be found, and it is asserted one
or more of the attorneys for the slayer
gave currency to that statement. The
fact that SweaTingen and bis friends
are wealthy was freely spoken of, too,
as hUugh some reliance was placed upon
that fact.
SwearingeD WAS armed with a deadly
weapon. in violation of law. In sud
den quarrel be drew it and killed his
antagonist. Surely, the Prosecuting
Attorney and the grand jury did net
hold that. after lodging ball in his
brain, he was justified in sending an
other into his abdomen. in order to pro-
tect himself from great bodily harm at
the hands of an unaTmed mani
This transaction is a stain upon the
aoud name ct the county; and in the
minds Of many men years will be re-
ouired to restore that feeling of conf
dence and respect that has Always been
felt toward the courts of law,